Dave Joerger, Maestro in Sacramento

Much like Frank Vogel is to the Orlando Magic, new head coach Dave Joerger is the X-Factor for the sinking Sacramento Kings.

While Michael Malone (the only coach who was having any tangible success in Sacramento during the Cousins Era) is mining golden Nuggets in Denver, Sacramento’s shit stinks worse than ever. From 1986-87 to 1994-95, the Kings missed the playoffs nine straight times. They’ve surpassed that with 10 in a row now, and there’s no clear path to changing their luck. Still, in walks the Joerger-Maestro, eager and ready to embrace one of the most challenging jobs in the NBA.

After three seasons at the helm in Memphis, the Grizzlies grew tired of Joerger getting all googly-eyed and exchanging snapchat selfies with other front offices each offseason. Similarly, Sacramento became fed up with George Karl’s games and decided to turn the page, eventually hiring their sixth coach during DeMarcus Cousins’ six-year career. It’s not rare at all for professional sports teams to make coaching changes, but the Kings have taken musical chairs to a whole new level lately. Despite Steve Kerr’s immediate success, clicking with a new coach is a slow dance of sorts, a warm and patient embrace to some smooth jazz or something — but Sacramento has consistently insisted on blaring deafening dubstep. Hopefully that’s all about to stop. No, Joerger can’t erase the fans’ memories of this past decade of horrible hoops, but over time he can help them get over the team’s 10-year-hangover.

Sacramento sits in a pretty precarious position entering the 2016-17 season. Exceed expectations and Chicago steals a first-round pick (top-10 protected). Fall apart and risk a potential pick-swap with the Sixers. The Kings also owe the 76ers a first-rounder in 2019. Free agents haven’t exactly been flocking to Sacramento in recent summers, so the real pressures exist on draft night 2017 and 2018. The truth is that this team badly needs to bottom out to add some elite talent alongside the Boogieman, but given the circumstances, another awful campaign could spark a trade demand. Furthermore, Cousins’ contract ends in the summer of 2018. The clock is ticking, the odds of a happy ending for Sacramento lessening with each passing year.

It appears that only Dave Joerger can save this situation from total collapse. A core rotation of Cousins, Rudy Gay, Arron Afflalo, Matt Barnes, Darren Collison, Omri Casspi, Ty Lawson, Anthony Tolliver, Kosta Koufos, Garrett Temple, Ben McLemore, and Willie Cauley-Stein doesn’t exactly scream playoffs here in 2016-17. Rookies Malachi Richardson, Skal Labissiere, and Georgios Papagiannis shouldn’t be expected to crack Joerger’s regular lineup, as his track record shows a heavy reliance on veterans.

Collison, a career backup who might be the projected starter at point guard, recently plead guilty to a domestic violence charge. Though he’s avoiding prison, Collison is awaiting details regarding his suspension from the NBA. Meanwhile, Lawson’s issues with alcohol have been a big part of why he has changed uniforms three times in the last calendar year, and Barnes’ shenanigans seem never-ending.

The Kings have as much potential to turn into a tire-fire during 2016-17 as any team in the entire league. Barring a slew of injuries to the rest of the West, it’s almost unfathomable to imagine Sacramento sneaking into the postseason picture. Nevertheless, competitive contests, progress, and a sense of camaraderie could create a feel-good atmosphere for the first time in what feels like forever.

The Kings have oodles of big men, but they’ve also got decent parts if they want to play small ball to space the floor for Cousins. Barnes and Tolliver were solid additions for that position and Gay, Afflalo, Temple, McLemore, and Casspi provide plenty of length and depth at the 2 and 3 spots. The questions become: where does Cauley-Stein fit on the court with Cousins and can Collison and Lawson can get the job done at point guard? The sophomore center is better at chasing perimeter players around on defense than Cousins, but WCS doesn’t provide much on offense. Given his youth, is he destined to rot on the bench behind Cousins (and maybe even Koufos)?

Joerger got the most out of a ravaged Grizzlies group last season. He worked his butt off, helping to inspire a team that rostered close to 30 players by seasons end to hold onto its playoff spot (and first-round pick) by the skin of its teeth. These Kings won’t be afforded a lead in the standings though, so Sacramento will have to hit the ground running when the season tips off. Joerger will need to display the same passion and intensity that made him beloved by the players inside the locker room in Memphis.

These Kings are going to lose a lot, but Joerger can’t lose the locker room like Karl did. World No. 1 tennis player Novak Djokovic used to be referred to as “Chok-ovic” before he began his global domination, and the court jesters in Sacramento may soon be worthy of a name like the Kings. Stranger things have happened (at least I think). Imagine an NBA where the Sacramento Kings are playing fun, meaningful basketball games again like the early 2000s. Why? Because that’s what Dave Joerger’s doing.